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Mawmaw’s Million Dollar Fruit Salad is a creamy, old-school mix of marshmallows, cherries, pineapple, and a surprise twist. Perfect for any gathering.
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This fruit salad showed up at every family gathering, usually in Mawmaw’s floral glass bowl with that one missing chip on the rim. No one ever asked if she was bringing it – we just knew. It’s fluffy, fruity, and a little quirky, kind of like Mawmaw herself. She swore the “secret ingredient” was love, but we’re pretty sure it was the mayonnaise. One bite, and you’re right back at the kids’ table, sneaking extra cherries when no one’s looking.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, nostalgic dessert that’s easy to throw together, this Million Dollar Fruit Salad is it. This retro favorite checks every box: it’s creamy, sweet, and full of fruity flavor. With simple ingredients like marshmallows, pineapple, and cottage cheese, this is one of those salads with cottage cheese that surprises everyone – in the best way.
Whether you’re making it for a potluck, holiday, or just because, this fruit salad recipe is always a hit.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking needed – Just mix and chill.
- Sweet and creamy – A perfect mix of fruit, fluff, and tang.
- Nostalgic comfort – Tastes just like Grandma (or Mawmaw) used to make.
- Budget-friendly – Simple ingredients with maximum flavor.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- mini fruit salad marshmallows – Regular size will work if chopped, or try rainbow marshmallows for a fun twist.
- crushed pineapple
- granulated sugar
- frozen whipped topping – Use homemade whipped cream if you prefer.
- maraschino cherries – Fresh chopped cherries or canned fruit cocktail work too.
- mayonnaise – Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt work in a pinch.
- cottage cheese – Small curd works best for texture. You can use low-fat or full-fat, depending on your preference. Swap for ricotta if you’re not a fan, but keep the texture in mind.
✨ Variations
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Stir in mandarin oranges or sliced grapes.
- Fold in sweetened shredded coconut for extra texture.
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🔥 Tips
- Make sure your fruit is well-drained to avoid a watery salad.
- Chill for at least 4 hours to let the flavors come together.
- Give it a good stir before serving to fluff it back up.
❓ FAQs
Yes! It’s even better after chilling overnight.
This is a sweet salad, but the mayo and cottage cheese give it a nice tangy balance.
Not recommended – the texture changes too much after thawing.
Yes, but keep in mind that fresh fruit can release more liquid. Make sure to pat it dry or drain well to avoid a runny salad.
Definitely, the sweet marshmallows and cherries make it a hit with kids. You can even let them help mix it.
Not really. The mayo adds creaminess and a subtle tang, but it blends into the background once everything is mixed.
Yes! This recipe is easy to scale up for bigger crowds. Just make sure you have a large enough bowl.
This fruit salad pairs well with grilled foods, brunch dishes, or as a stand-alone dessert at potlucks and parties.
It stays fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Stir before serving.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Mawmaw’s Million Dollar Fruit Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 bag mini marshmallows, 10 ounces
- 1 can crushed pineapple, 15 ounces, drained
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 jar maraschino cherries, 6 ounces, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 6 to 8 ounces small curd cottage cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients until fully combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Give it a quick stir before serving and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Be sure to chop the cherries to distribute the flavor throughout.
- Adjust sugar to taste – some prefer it sweeter, others less so.
- This cottage cheese fruit salad is a great make-ahead option for gatherings.
- It stays fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Stir before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
